Room of the Day: A New Yorker’s Bold New Bedroom
Power pattern and color in a bachelor’s personal sanctuary
Mary Jo Bowling
November 4, 2014
Houzz Contributor; writer, reader, serial remodeler.
The owner of this New York City apartment had experienced a lot of change in the years he’d lived there. But while he had graduated, had taken a job and was building profession, the space had remained a time capsule. He hired Lindsay Boswell and Ali Levin of LABLstudio to remake his place in his current style.
Who lives here: A thirtysomething professional
Location: West Village neighborhood of Manhattan
Bedroom size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Tip: While the designers used a mix of high- and low-end items in this home, they recommend spending money on a quality bed. “It’s a big piece, and you spend a lot of time there,” says Levin.
The showstopping move is the geometric forms painted on the walls of the bedroom. “From the start we imagined geometric shapes on the walls,” says Levin. “It’s a great prewar walk-up with original molding. We wanted to do something that would give the room a new look, draw attention to the molding and tie together the colors in the room.”
The designers used Photoshop to design a pattern on the computer, and with that as a model, outlined the shapes on the wall with blue tape before applying the paint themselves. “We tweaked the design a bit once we mapped it out in tape,” says Levin. “But the end result looks a lot like our initial image.”
Wall paint: Hancock Green; accent paints: Hale Navy, New London Burgundy, Polished Slate, Golden Bounty, all from Benjamin Moore; rug: Ikea
Location: West Village neighborhood of Manhattan
Bedroom size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Tip: While the designers used a mix of high- and low-end items in this home, they recommend spending money on a quality bed. “It’s a big piece, and you spend a lot of time there,” says Levin.
The showstopping move is the geometric forms painted on the walls of the bedroom. “From the start we imagined geometric shapes on the walls,” says Levin. “It’s a great prewar walk-up with original molding. We wanted to do something that would give the room a new look, draw attention to the molding and tie together the colors in the room.”
The designers used Photoshop to design a pattern on the computer, and with that as a model, outlined the shapes on the wall with blue tape before applying the paint themselves. “We tweaked the design a bit once we mapped it out in tape,” says Levin. “But the end result looks a lot like our initial image.”
Wall paint: Hancock Green; accent paints: Hale Navy, New London Burgundy, Polished Slate, Golden Bounty, all from Benjamin Moore; rug: Ikea
The pale sage background makes the molding and the accent colors stand out. “We like doing things that are a bit different,” says Boswell. “We didn’t want to use bright white, because we felt it would make the room cold.”
This design duo is not shy about sourcing from anywhere and everywhere. For example, the bedside table is from Cost Plus World Market, and the lamps are from Urban Outfitters. But when it comes to large upholstered pieces, they suggest spending as much as you can afford. “Pieces such as a bed or a sofa set the tone for the entire room,” says Levin.
Another key piece is the print by artist Rene Ricard. “We loved it because it has a seriousness and a playfulness,” says Boswell.
Bed: Carmichael, Gus Modern; bedside table: Cost Plus World Market; lamp: Urban Outfitters; art: Rene Ricard, Exhibition A
This design duo is not shy about sourcing from anywhere and everywhere. For example, the bedside table is from Cost Plus World Market, and the lamps are from Urban Outfitters. But when it comes to large upholstered pieces, they suggest spending as much as you can afford. “Pieces such as a bed or a sofa set the tone for the entire room,” says Levin.
Another key piece is the print by artist Rene Ricard. “We loved it because it has a seriousness and a playfulness,” says Boswell.
Bed: Carmichael, Gus Modern; bedside table: Cost Plus World Market; lamp: Urban Outfitters; art: Rene Ricard, Exhibition A
An example of a cost-saving piece is the turquoise-colored dresser from Ikea. “The color was perfect,” says Levin. “And sometimes the best piece isn’t the most expensive one.”
However, the client invested more in a custom desk. “When we first met with him, he had a large, chunky desk and a big media center,” says Boswell. “But we all came to the conclusion he did not need that much storage.”
She continues, “This client needed a place to stow his laptop, his remote control and a single drawer. Because the walls are so old, hanging the television on the wall was not an option, so he also needed a place to put the TV. This wide and narrow piece holds it all and works much better in the space.”
Today the client has a space that fits his current lifestyle. “Your home should truly reflect who you are now,” says Levin. “I think it’s a space he can feel proud of.”
Desk: custom, Urban Wood Goods
More: A Piece of Manhattan Inspires a Brooklyn Apartment
She continues, “This client needed a place to stow his laptop, his remote control and a single drawer. Because the walls are so old, hanging the television on the wall was not an option, so he also needed a place to put the TV. This wide and narrow piece holds it all and works much better in the space.”
Today the client has a space that fits his current lifestyle. “Your home should truly reflect who you are now,” says Levin. “I think it’s a space he can feel proud of.”
Desk: custom, Urban Wood Goods
More: A Piece of Manhattan Inspires a Brooklyn Apartment
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I like the way that the colours in the Rene Ricard print are picked up in cushions and repeated in the wall art. The designer made good use of the space, and didn't get caught up in trendy expectations.
Very creative.